2N: Missing Cutout Relay???

What I have now is the following: (6 volt pos ground system)

1. Battery Pos post is connected to ground bolt on Dash. (looks like a lighter weight 12 volt cable but the connection appears to be OK)
2. Battery Neg is connected to Starter switch post
(Unit is located below the battery.) (This appears to be OK connection with lighter weight cables)
3. Starter is connected to other post on starter switch.

4. A wire runs from the starter switch (Paired with neg wire from battery) to 3rd post on resistor block. (Ammeter is bypassed completely)

5. The ignition switch, light switch, and connection to coil appear to be wired correctly..

The fun is that it appears that this guy had the generator wired directly to the resistor block. (NO CUTOUT RELAY).. Of course the insulation was wore off of the wire near the generator so it must have been shorting out, and the wire was unhooked under the dash before I bought the tractor, so I'm not sure where he had it connected.

Just in case I'm looking in the wrong place..
Where on the tractor exactly should the cutout relay be positioned? (Pic anyone with a 2N? Please?) If it is missing in action as I suspect, I'll need to buy a new cutout relay, cause I'm sure haveing the generator wired directly to the battery probably is the reason that I found the battery significantly low on fluid when I got home...(boiling battery anyone ??)

I've topped it up with distilled water, and I'm running a 6 volt trickle charger into it overnite to see if it will hold a charge.

I'm going to try and connect up the ammeter to see if it is bad. If it doesn't work, I guess I'll set it aside and put it a temporary one from an auto parts store that fits the hole... for now.

How much would an original ammeter cost? is it still a valid part available at local NH dealers?
Anyone know the part no. for the ammeter ?

Thanks in advance for your help with this folks...

Lyle.

I'm going to stop by my local NH dealer to price out a new wiring harness.

Does anyone have any experience in ordering parts for the N's from the US distributers and having them delivered to the Great White North (Ok, just north of montana) ?

Wondering about whether the pain of shipping delays, Customs, Additional taxes and brokering fees is worth it, or if I should stick to local suppliers like my NH dealer...???

I agree with Dell. Throw it out and start fresh. I replaced my wires one by one, but looking back on it, I should have jsut bought a new wiring harness.

I also agree with Dell about installing a new voltage regulator replacement for your cutout relay.

I went through three cutout relays in one month. None of them kept my battery charged. Dell recomended the device you see above. It is a voltage regulator that takes the place of the cutout relay. And let me tell you, this thing works! I use my 2N for plowing snow and often run with the lights on. Well, that used to drain my battery within an hour. Now, I can run the lights as long as there is gas in the tank.

The one shown above has ford script on it, for those looking for show points. The non script one is a little cheaper.

Good luck, and don't get too frustrated. The 6 volt system can be made to work and work well. Most recently I replaced my 2 ga neg cable with a 0 ga one. Big cranking difference. I also replaced cap, rotor, points, etc. and she starts quickly. Get to it and write if you have questions.

• Link

The I&T FO-4 manual actually has a wiring pictorial diagram to help you locate all your parts. The roundcan cuttoff is mounted low down on the steering column above starter.

You can not get an OEM loop ammeter, but the SW 2-terminal ammeter is quite acceptable and priced right $10.

Caution: Ford did have a factory conversion wiring kit for roundcan cuttoff 2N's to frontmount 8N square voltage regulator.

Personally, I'd go with "Fun Products" real sneaky solidstate roundcan voltage regulator instead of roundcan cuttoff. Quite popular with the Model A boys.

Remember the 6 volt mantra: "keep'em clean, bright, and tight". And don't be for using any them thar wimpy discount 12 volt battery cables. Get some hairy chested double aught (00) size yer thumb battery cables.

Do it right and you won't be sorry..... ..... Dell